Safety requirements for temporary accommodation vessels
Local authorities in the Netherlands may use opvangschepen (cabin vessels) for temporary accommodation. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) oversees the safety of these cabin vessels.
Cabin vessels must have a binnenschipcertificaat (Inland Navigation Certificate) to prove that they meet technical standards. Lessees, owners and crew members must meet competence and capability requirements. The ILT oversees compliance with these standards.
ILT inspectors provide information to help prevent or rectify violations as quickly as possible. The ILT may also issue sanctions.
Key points
The mandatory Inland Navigation Certificate specifies how the vessel can and cannot be used and which limitations or deviations apply. For example, it details the maximum number of passengers on board and fire safety standards. The ILT checks these key points during inspections.
What is the maximum number of passengers? Certificate number 22
Is the maximum number of passengers clearly displayed in a prominent place on the ship and in the safety plan as per Article 19.13, paragraph 2? Article 19.05, paragraph 4?
What is the maximum number of passenger beds and how many berths are occupied? Certificate number 23
Is the current number of passengers on board known at all times?
Is the Megger test for measuring insulation materials available on board? A Megger test assesses whether insulation materials resist electrical current. For passenger vessels, the test remains valid for the same duration as the Inland Navigation Certificate. Article 19.10, paragraph 9 / ESI-I-2
Has the steering gear been inspected by an expert? The inspection period is 3 years. Article 6.09, paragraph 3
Is there a liquefied gas installation on board? If so, has it been inspected and when is it due for reinspection? The inspection period is 3 years. Certificate number 50, Article 17.13
Is the liquefied gas installation properly designed and installed? Article 17.02
Are all on-board batteries adequately protected? Article 10.11
Does the acoustic alarm system for warning passengers meet the requirements? Article 19.08, paragraph 3b
Is there a carbon monoxide (CO) and explosive gas mixture alarm system on board? Article ESI-III-5
Is there a gangway no longer than 4 metres? Article 13.02, paragraph 3d / 19.06, paragraph 12
Are the crew familiar with the veiligheidsplan (safety plan), veiligheidsrollen (safety roles) and procedures such as brand aan boord (fire on board), evacuatie (evacuation) and man overboord (man overboard)?
Is there a certified safety plan (Article 19.13, paragraphs 2a, b, d, g, k and paragraph 3) that includes information on:
Escape routes, emergency exits, assembly and evacuation areas (paragraph 2a)?
Lifesaving equipment and ship’s tenders (paragraph 2b)?
Fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems and automatic sprinklers (paragraph 2d)?
The passenger alarm system (paragraph 2g)?
The fire detection system (paragraph 2k)?
Have passengers been informed of safety procedures (alarms, assembly points, escape routes, etc.)?
Are a safety plan and safety roles visible on every deck? Have they been posted in the correct orientation? Article 19.13, paragraph 3
Are a safety plan and instructions in Dutch, English, German and French available in each cabin? Have they been posted in the correct place in regards to the escape route? Article 19.13, paragraph 4
Are escape routes and emergency exits clearly marked? Article 19.06, paragraph 6f
Is there emergency lighting for escape routes and emergency exits? Article 19.10, paragraph 3c
Are the assembly and evacuation areas clearly marked? Can all watertight bulkheads and fire doors be closed? Article 19.03, paragraph 8i
Is there a bijboot (dingy) The vessel must have a dingy if there is no second escape route to the shore. Article 13.07, paragraph 1d
Does the fire detection system work? Is there always someone on board who can hear the alarm when it goes off? Article 19.11, paragraph 18
Does the fire detection system have a valid inspection certificate? The inspection period is 2 years. Article ESI-II-12, paragraph 3
What is the number of portable fire extinguishers, built-in fire suppression systems in living quarters and fixed fire suppression systems in the engine room? Number 43, Article 13.04, paragraph 1 / Article 19.12, paragraph 9
Do the built-in fire suppression systems have a valid inspection certificate? The inspection period is 2 years. Article 13.04, paragraph 6d
Does the number of portable fire extinguishers match the Inland Navigation Certificate? Article 13.03, paragraph 1 / Article 19.12, paragraph 1
Are there both a powder fire extinguisher (ABC, 6 kg) and a foam fire extinguisher (AFFF, 9 litres) on board? Article 13.03, paragraph 2
Is there a fat fire extinguisher (F) present in the kitchen? Article 19.12, paragraph 1c
Do all fire extinguishers have a valid inspection certificate? The inspection period is 2 years.
Have the fire extinguishers been placed in the correct locations as listed in the safety plan? Article 13.03, paragraph 5
Is there a defibrillator on board? There must be a defibrillator on board by the first issue or renewal of the Inland Navigation Certificate after 1 January 2020. Article 19.08, paragraph 10
Is there a stretcher on board? Article 19.09, paragraph 11
How many life buoys, life buoys with lights, life buoys with floating lines, dingys, individual lifesaving equipment for passengers and collective lifesaving equipment for passengers are on board? Certificate number 44
Do the number of life buoys match the Inland Navigation Certificate? Article 13.08, paragraph 1 / Article 19.09
Have half of the life buoys been equipped with lights? Have half of the life buoys been equipped with a 30m line? Article 19.09, paragraph 1
Is there individual lifesaving equipment for 100% of the passengers? Article 15.09, paragraph 4
In an emergency, people must be able to act quickly. They need to know where fire-extinguishing equipment and life jackets are stored and where to go in case of evacuation. Clearly visible pictogrammen (safety pictograms) can help with this. The pictograms on board may vary slightly or be more detailed, but they must never convey a different meaning. Read more about fire extinguishers and first aid kits on board.
